Authors
Han Van Bladel, Adriana Fernandes Veludo, Nicolas Loizeau, Martin Röösli, Milena Maule, Zsuzsanna Vecsei, Orsolya Molnár, Tanja Vrijkotte, Kinga Polanska, Piotr Politański, Paweł Mamrot, Shanshan Wang, Joe Wiart, James Grellier, Anastasiia Kovalenko, Paige M Hulls, Frank De Vocht, Nina Vaupotiĉ, Mònica Guxens, Wout Joseph
Published in
The Science of the total environment. Volume 1047. Pages 182037. Jul 14, 2026. Epub Jul 14, 2026.
Abstract
Due to the rapid evolution and densification of mobile communication networks, there is an increased interest in the long-term assessment of environmental exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF). While numerous studies have investigated RF-EMF exposure using short-term or spatial measurement campaigns, the number of comprehensive analyses capturing temporal variability across multiple frequency bands and countries remain limited. This pilot study aims to establish a multi-country sensor network to collect data on long-term RF-EMF exposure, including 5G, and to investigate whether temporal trends occur. Twenty frequency-selective sensors were deployed at fixed indoor and outdoor locations in ten European countries, continuously measuring E-field (electric field) strengths in four mobile communication frequency bands (806 MHz, 942 MHz, 1842 MHz, and 3625 MHz) over a period of 17 months with a temporal resolution of 1 s. The raw measurement data were calibrated and analyzed to describe RF-EMF exposure levels, temporal patterns, and variability across environments and spatial characteristics. A strong and recurring diurnal pattern was observed across the four frequency bands. The highest day-night contrasts occurred in the 806 MHz and 1842 MHz bands, where nighttime values decreased by 35.1% and 48.4%, respectively compared to daytime values. Milder contrasts were observed between weekdays and weekends with the most pronounced decrease of 16.6% for the 1842 MHz band. Temporal variability, quantified using the R-factor (i.e. the ratio of the median field strength to the maximum field strength measured during the period of interest), varied substantially across frequency bands and locations, with lower R-factors observed for higher-frequency bands (with a median R-factor of 0.45 for 3625 GHz), indicating a greater variability. Given the scope and duration of this study, it aims to serve as a pilot study for long-term exposure monitoring at fixed sites in multiple countries.
PMID:
42447532
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 15 Jul 2026.
Read full publication at:
Please sign in
to see all details.
Advertisement
Stats
- Recommendations n/a n/a positive of 0 vote(s)
- Views 5
- Comments 0